An Alamogordo juvenile probation officer was arrested with 9.7 pounds of marijuana inside his state-issued vehicle at the U.S. Highway 70 checkpoint west of town Tuesday evening, Homeland Security Investigations officials said.

HSI officials said Saul Velasco is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Velasco is being held in the Do-a Ana County Detention Center on a no-bond hold to appear at 8:30 a.m. today in Federal Magistrate Court in Las Cruces.

Ironically, Velasco gave a presentation last week to the Alamogordo High School's freshman class. During the presentation, Velasco said students should consider their actions, the consequences of their actions and what they can lose by making the wrong decisions.

HSI officials said Velasco entered the U.S. Highway 70 West checkpoint when U.S. Border Patrol agents seized the marijuana that was found in a duffel bag inside the state government vehicle.

Officials said Velasco allegedly bought the 10 bundles of marijuana earlier Tuesday near a restaurant on U.S. Highway 54 north of El Paso. Officials added that Velasco brought the marijuana for further distribution in Alamogordo.

The Juvenile Probation Office falls under the supervision of the Children, Youth and Families Department.

CYFD spokesman Enrique Knell said Velasco has been employed with JPO as a juvenile probation officer since February 2007.

"If somebody is unable to report to work (at JPO) because they've been arrested and in jail," Knell said, "they're on AWAL status, which means absent without authorized leave from work. It's basically an unexcused absence from work and not paid for that time. Once they're out of jail and able to report to work in a situation like this, employees are placed on administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation. As long as they're in jail, their on AWAL status. They're paid while on administrative leave."

He said CYFD is aware of the arrest and are following personnel policies.

"Velasco will not be returning to work until the investigation is concluded," Knell said. "Once the investigation is concluded then CYFD will look at what type of discipline would be given to any employee. There is a wide range of discipline, from a letter of correction in their file to suspension and, of course, termination."